would be in darkness. Lord! what a joke! (gets r. c.)
Herbert. Joke! And me with the sack! Pretty idea of a joke you've got, I don't think.
(Knock at outer door.)
Mrs. White. Hark!
(Knock repeated, louder.)
Mr. White (going towards door). That's him. That's the Sergeant-Major. (He unlocks door, back.)
Herbert (removes chess-board). Wonder what yam he's got for us to-night. (Places chess-board on piano.)
Mrs. White (goes up right, busies himself putting the other armchair nearer fire, etc). Don't let the door slam, John!
Mr. White (at the door). Slip in quick! It's as much as I can do to hold it against the wind.
Sergeant. Awful! Awful! (Busy taking off his cloak, etc.) And a mile up the road—by the cemetery—it's worse. Enough to blow the hair off your head.
Mr. White. Give me your stick.
Sergeant. If 'twasn't I knew what a welcome I'd get——
Mr. White (preceding him into the room). Sergeant-Major Morris!
Mrs. White. Tut! tut! So cold you must be! Come to the fire; do'ee, now.
